Group Aims To Raise $100K For Legal Fight To Save Northport Community Center And Park

NORTHPORT, AL — A GoFundMe online fundraising drive has been launched to cover legal expenses in the battle to save the Northport Community Center and its adjoining park.

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Sandy Barnidge has been a vocal proponent of preserving the park and created the crowdfunding campaign to pay for the Parsons Firm to represent the grassroots organizers against the City of Northport.

"I’d much rather use the funds we’re raising to pay for upgrades to the community center and playground, but if the council continues to insist on moving this sale forward, we’ll hopefully be able to help the Parsons Firm fight back," Barnidge told Patch.

As Patch previously reported, the Northport City Council and the Beeker Property Group are in the midst of a 180-day due diligence period to market the property, with the hopes of turning it into

The GoFundMe has raised $3,400 toward its $100,000 goal from 31 donors as of the publication of this story. Barnidge said if the fundraising campaign exceeds its goal, the grassroots group will use the remainder of the funds to revitalize the park, community center, and playground.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe or learn more.

"I still hope the majority of the City Council will ultimately change their minds about selling the park to Beeker Property Group, but in case they don’t, I’ve banded together with several other park supporters to explore our legal options for preventing the sale," Barnidge told Patch. "We’re thrilled that the Parsons Firm has agreed to help, and our goal now is to give them a robust war chest to do everything possible to stop the sale."

While Patch previously reported that Northport Mayor John Hinton said he intended to veto the sale of the property if it is voted on and approved by the council, only District 4 Councilwoman Jamie Dykes has confirmed to Patch that she would vote against repealing the veto.

A repeal of a mayor veto will require at least four of the five council members to vote in favor of the decision.

The due diligence period went into effect with the Council's approval on June 1, meaning it will conclude no later than Nov. 28. The first council meeting following the close of the 180-day period is set for Monday, Dec. 4.

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